Pete Rock with DJ Premier, Flatbush Zombies, Ty Segall's new band Fuzz, Femi Kuti,and Ben Howard(video above) are among the many artists performing for free in the parks around New York City this summer. Yes, it's the beginning of May and that means that all the upcoming summer music concerts and other fun outdoor events for Summer 2013 in New York City are being announced around this time. So for this New York State of Mind Amoeblog I will preview and list many of these great NYC summer (mostly all outdoor) events, which are usually free and typically with artists that you'd happily fork over good money to see. That all follows below. But first a note on something happening this weekend that prequels an event in August.

On August 3rd, but indoors and at a ticket cost, will be the US DMC Finals which takes place around the same time as the Rock Steady Crew's 36th anniversary celebration in New York. But this weekend, Friday May 3rd, at Stage 48 in the Hells Kitchen district of Manhattan be the NYC Regional battle in the DMC competition. Last weekend were both the LA and the Bay Area DMC Regional Battles. As well as the actual battles (for both 2013 DMC NYC Regional DJ Battle and the 2013 DMC Battle for US Supremacy) there will be a partyrocking showcase performance from Philly turntablist legend DJ Cash Money (1988 DMC World Champ).

The DMC NYC Regional features the top six DJs performing six minute battle routines. Meanwhile, the DMC Battle for US Supremacy pairs the top eight DJs going head to head until one champ remains. DJ Esquire will be defending the title. Once again the host will be DITC's ever witty DJ/MC/hip-hop icon Lord Finesse. It is an early show that goes from 4pm to 10pm. 16+ $15 advance or $18 at the door. More battle info and more club/ticket info.

Among the other acts playing for free in the parks are Ty Segall's new band Fuzz who play Red Hook Park in Brooklyn on June 6th, The Zombies plus Django Django who play Summerstage in Central Park on June 18th where a week later on June 23rd Femi Kuti and Sinkane perform. Another good Central Park show takes place on July 6th when members of REM, The dB's, The Rosebuds and more will all perform in celebration of Big Star's 3rdLP. For more info on concerts click SummerStage and check back here on the Amoeblog in the coming months for more info and updates.

Flatbush Zombies, who will be among the artists doing free shows in NYC